Huge fire underway at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris

A "significant fire" broke out at the
iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in central Paris at 7 pm local time, according to
the national police.
Smoke could be seen billowing out from the top of
the medieval cathedral, as flames leapt out beside its two bell towers, a
Reuters witness said.
Both the spire and roof of the cathedral have now
collapsed.
No injuries have been reported at this stage,
according to French Junior Interior Minister Laurent Nunez.
The Paris Prosecutor has opened an official
investigation to determine the cause.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister
Edouard Philippe have arrived at the scene along with the Prosecutor.
A major operation is underway, the fire department
said, while a city hall spokesman said on Twitter that the area was being
cleared.
"A terrible fire is underway at Notre-Dame
Cathedral in Paris," mayor Anne Hidalgo wrote on Twitter.
"Firefighters are trying to control the flames ... I invite everyone to
respect the security perimeter."
Police advised people to avoid the area in a tweet
and requested that they facilitate the passage of emergency and vehicles.
French President Emmanuel Macron has cancelled a
planned 8 pm CEST address to the nation due to the "terrible fire",
said an official at the president's Elysee office.